Pulling together two of the main events through the year, the National Hereford Calf Show will this year be staged at Borderway Mart’s Agri Expo.

The home of the North of England and Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Associations’ jointly run autumn calf show, Agri Expo often attracts a strong display of young Hereford cattle which this year will only be strengthened as the Society’s flagship calf show returns to Carlisle.

Calling the shots will be Northern Ireland’s James Graham who runs the Richmount herd in Portadown, Co Armagh. His appointment follows a successful summer show season, having bred and shown the reserve supreme champion at the Northern Ireland National Hereford Show and the reserve supreme champion at Balmoral.

James established the Richmount herd just 11 years ago, which is now one of the top Hereford show herds in Northern Ireland. In the past decade, the herd has won five Northern Irish bull of the year titles, including both 2018 and 2019, and two Northern Irish females of the year.

James says: “I am delighted to have been asked to judge the National Calf Show at Agri Expo which already stages such a high quality display of Herefords every year. I am expecting to see the cream of the crop of September 2018 to March 2019 born calves and some of the sires and females of the future bred grass roots members.”

Entries for the calf show close on Friday 27 September and should be sent to Pauline Wason, honorary secretary of the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association.

It was clear to all spectators and exhibitors how much it meant to father and daughter double act George and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow as their heifer Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose was selected as supreme champion of the National Poll Show, before going on to win Moreton-in-Marsh Show’s interbreed championship.

Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose

After a long show season which commenced in May, Crocus Rose has been round the circuit this summer and in the past few weeks has peaked, taking the supreme championship at Moreton-in-Marsh, top honours at the Scottish National and the title of Scottish Beef Champion of Champions at Keith Show, Moray.

Born in March 2018, this 17 month old heifer is the first calf of Harveybros 1 Crocus N1, which was transferred into Sophie’s ownership as a 21st birthday present from George and was successfully shown in its own right, picking up junior champion and reserve female champion at the Great Yorkshire in 2016 and reserve junior female champion at the Highland in the same year. Crocus Rose stood reserve at both the Great Yorkshire and the Royal Highland shows and is sired by Normanton 1 Laertes, which was shown so successfully by TD and WT Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire. Sophie will be retaining this heifer in the herd for breeding.

Richard Rettie, Perthshire was tasked with the marathon judging stint and said the standard of cattle in front of him throughout the day was ‘unbelievably good’, with the ‘quality extending throughout each class, from top to bottom, without any tail end’.

He described his supreme champion as the ‘stand-out winner of its class, oozing style and breed character’, having such ‘tremendous width for such a well-grown heifer’ adding despite its size, it still remains so feminine.

He commented the intermediate female classes were the pick of the show, adding there were several heifers in these classes which would have made worthy winners and this is where he also found this reserve supreme, Coley 1 Clara 418 jointly owned by Heather Whittaker, Halifax, Yorkshire and AG Whittle, Heywood, Lancashire which stood next to Harvey’s heifer in every class and championship on the day.

Coley 1 Clara 418

Another heifer which has become such a familiar name this summer show season, it was supreme champion at the Great Yorkshire and Royal Highland and reserve supreme at the Scottish National. Born in October 2017, it is by Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid and out of Coley 1 Clara 286 and will next be shown at Kington before it is retained in the herd, being in-calf to Romany 1 Prime Time BL P62.Richard Rettie described this animal as ‘full of beef with a lovely top’, having tremendous width, ‘carrying a lot of flesh but carrying it well’.

In the bulls, the grand and intermediate male championship was handed to Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12 from Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland which was also intermediate champion. Born in April 2018, it is an SMH Kingsize 87K son, and out of Romany 1 Dawn D1 M6, which also contains SMH breeding. This bull has done well elsewhere this year with professional showman Steven O’Kane often on the halter, including winning grand male at the Royal Welsh Show, as well as reserve champion interbreed junior bull and native junior bull champion at the same show.

Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12

Reserve grand male was another well-known animal, Romany 1 Prime Time BL P62 from Heather Whittaker. This is a son of Barwise 1 Lancer which is the current sire of the year, and at 28 months old has a wealth of successes to its name from being shown as a junior bull, on top of this show season where it has been grand male champion at the Great Yorkshire and Royal Highland and supreme at Royal Norfolk. At Moreton, the bull stood its ground in a tight senior bull class of some of the most well-known males seen this year.Overall junior and junior female champion was Moralee 1 Kylie KS S3 from Tom and Di Harrison, an October 2018 born heifer. By the Danish-bred sire SMH Kingsize 87K which is so prevalent in the Harrisons’ recent breeding, it is out of Moralee 1 Kylie. The Harrisons will be entering four embryos into this year's Designer Genes sale with the same mating as this heifer - Moralee 1 Kylie KS S3 cross SMH Kingsize 87K.

Romany 1 Prime Time BL P62

Reserve and junior male champion went to Heather Whittaker for the 11 month old bull Coley 1 Sebastian which is sired by Rosenkaer Messi 410M and out of home-bred dam Coley 1 Pippa 355.

Coley 1 Sebastian

Reserve junior female champion was tapped out as Dendor 1 Ruby 32nd from DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys. Another animal on show with Danish breeding, this heifer is by Bakgard 1 Keno 1178 and out of Dendor 1 Ruby 15th, a female now owned by L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan.

Dendor 1 Ruby 32nd

Boomer Birch and Graham Brindley were responsible for the reserve junior male champion in the form of Sky High 1 Shawshank Redemption. Sired by Remitall 1 Super Duty 42S, it is out of Dendor 1 Jennefer 15th which has twice been female of the year.Kinglee 1 Polly 554 from Peter Cobley took the senior female championship. Sired by Panmure 1 Karl, it is out of home-bred dam Kinglee 1 Polly 285, and calved in late July.

Owned by young breeder William Awan, Midford, Somerset and from Whittaker’s stud, Coley 1 Clara 409 stood reserve senior female champion. By Romany 1 Distiller A84 D53, it is out of Barbern 1 Claret 2nd and was served in late January.

Coley 1 Clara 409

Harvey Cloke, Brecon, Powys came reserve intermediate champion with Lord Harvey’s 1 Winston, a 14 month bull which also stood reserve grand male at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. Another Bakgard 1 Keno 1178 son, it is out of Dendor 1 Echo 19th.

Lord Harvey's 1 Winston

With all eyes watching, Coley 1 Pilot from Graham Shepherd, Preston, which has not been at a major show since its record price purchase in December 2018 at Shrewsbury’s Designer Genes sale, was tapped out as reserve senior male champion.

Coley 1 Pilot

In Friday night’s young handlers’ competition, which was judged by Caroline Davies, Catherine Shaw, aged 11, won first place in the youngest class. Eva Jackson of Eveter Herefords, 13, won the 13 to 17 years class as well as the Dendor show stick and Isla Soutter, 18, once again one the most senior of classes and the overall championship.

A further young handlers’ competition was held during Saturday’s showing, judged by Bernard and Barbara Rimmer. Catherine Shaw once again came out on top of her age group while Finlay Soutter won the middle age group of 13 to 17 years and Iona Smith was victorious in the 18 to 21 category.

Nine young members and two council members recently undertook an insightful visit to Dunbia, Sawley.

The day began with members gaining knowledge on the business, market trends and the EUROP grid. They were then lucky enough to go to the lairage and examine four Hereford cross cattle under the supervision of Steve Powdril from AHDB who explained how to visually assess and feel for fat coverage.

After lunch members went into the boning hall and then the slaughter area. This was a big eye opener for everyone attending and provided a great insight into our beef industry and the processing sector.

Weather conditions did not put young members, parents or council members off attending the commercial day at Richard and Joanna Mann’s Ufton Hill Farm in Warwickshire.

The day kicked off with members viewing a bunch of cows and calves while discussing management and calf selection.

A group of home grown pedigree Hereford heifers were then seen, some of which will be retained for breeding replacements and others were destined for the food chain. Richard explained his decisions were dependant on many factors including confirmation, breeding lines and EBVs.

Alongside the 50 strong herd is a commercial enterprise of 800 cattle, purchased from Meadow Quality or sometimes local markets. A comprehensive list of their feeding regime, sire selection and calf weights provided by Richard sparked a constructive conversation on buying in calves, what to look for and the difference between a profit and loss. Vital information and knowledge was shared among members which provided food for thought.

Members were shown around the feed store and looked at ingredients which go into the ration. It certainly made some people think about proteins and feeding structures.

A lovely lunch provided a great opportunity for members and council members to integrate and discuss the day so far. The afternoon’s proceedings involved guest speaker and trainer Phil Parrot, who runs a successful butchers shop in Aylesbury. Clive Davies was also in attendance and the two worked together demonstrating cattle assessment. Phil explained what he looks for in a butchers’ animal and sparked a debate on carcase size and evaluation. Clive touched on the EUROP grid and explained the meaning behind it.

Two sets of four cattle were then presented for judging which posed an interesting array of concentrated faces. Many members have participated in stock judging classes but not ones in which they were assessing fat and store cattle for slaughter. Phil and Clive demonstrated different cuts of meat and gave their reasoning behind their own placings. The afternoon proved to be a success and each member took away something new from the exercise.

An impressive set up of buildings and management left an impression on all who attended that day. The opportunity is not often given to visit such a commercially run enterprise and UK Hereford Youth thanks Richard and Joanna Mann for their hospitality and insight into their farming business.

After being named grand male champion at Bucks County Show, home-bred Pepperstock 1 Rebellious from Jim Speirs, Luton, Bedfordshire went on to be crowned interbreed and native champion.

Pepperstock 1 Rebellious

Also standing first in its class at the Royal Norfolk this year, this 20 month bull is by Normanton 1 Laertes and out of Pepperstock 1 Mink M251, from what Jim describes as a 'good cow family producing big, dark cows'.

Having already had a great deal of success this summer, Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12 from Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland stood reserve supreme and reserve male champion.

Moralee 1 Lucy from the same stable, took the grand female championship and, after a successful National Hereford Show, Kye Holly 818 from P Martindale stood reserve.

Congratulations must also go to Beth Vincent of Pulham Herefords, Pulham Market, Norfolk for winning a competitive young handler class before taking champion handler.

Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association president Stephen Baxter’s farm on the outskirts of Armagh was the venue for this year’s Hereford Breeders BBQ and herds competition.

With around 150 people in attendance, visitors were invited to compete in a stockjudging competition and a tour of the Umgola herd’s cows and calves before sitting down to a delicious barbecue of Hereford steaks kindly supplied by Dunbia.

The judge for this year’s competition was the vastly experienced Robert Shaw of Hallwood Herefords, Cheshire. Having judged many herd competitions all over the UK, Robert was up to the task and with over 20 herds across Northern Ireland to be assessed, he fully enjoyed the task in hand.

Having completed his full week of judging Robert said that he was very impressed with the size, structure and overall quality of the cattle presented before him.

He was also very encouraged with the number of young people involved in the breed. Robert remarked: “The knowledge and enthusiasm of the young people I have met on my visits this week assures me that the Hereford breed is in very good hands in Northern Ireland.”

Leading the way and taking the overall large herd award was John Conlon, Markethill with the Drumatee herd. Taking the title of best herd in Northern Ireland for the second year in a row, he also picked up best stock bull for Cill Cormac Nevada. The judge noted his calves are very consistent and of great quality and he certainly had made his Mark on John’s herd.

Taking second in the large herd and reserve overall was John and William McMordie, Ballygowan with the Solpoll herd. Their quality crop of calves had obviously caught the judge’s eye as Solpoll 1 Snazzy picked up best autumn born bull calf and Solpoll 1 Starlet S21 secured best spring born heifer calf.

Taking third in the large herd was David Wilson’s Lisrace herd, Magheraveely. His stock bull Knockmountagh Marshall was third in the best stock bull and Lisrace Loyalist 21st took best spring born bull calf.

Trevor Andrews, Mountview herd, picked up the best medium herd award. Trevor’s calves on the ground clearly stood out as his stock bull Dorepoll 1 Legacy took second in the stock bull award.

Following Trevor in the medium herd was Robin Irvine’s Graceland Herd at Whitecross. He also picked up best autumn born heifer calf with Graceland 1 Sally. Glenn Morton’s Nancy Herefords took third place.

In the small herds Gerry and Ethan Small’s Drumshambo herd Randalstown, led the way in first place. Closely followed by the Lisnaree herd of Marcus Murdock, Newry and coming third was the Sessiagh herd of Uel and Nathaniel Shaw. Benburb. Although smaller in numbers, the judge remarked the quality was consistent in these herds.

NIHBA would like to thank all who attended and contributed to the nominated charity Angels Wishes on the night, through the barbecue and prize draw for the Hereford sired heifer which was won by Philip Macari, Armagh and kindly donated back to the charity.

Speaking at the end of the evening, Association secretary Mark Moore expressed sincere thanks to Rboret for taking on the momentous task of judging and carrying it out so professionally.Also to Dunbia for providing the excellent Hereford steaks and burgers which were fully enjoyed by everyone.

Stephen Baxter and his family were warmly thanked for hosting the evening. No effort had been spared to ensure everyone enjoyed the evening and lot of time and effort had gone in to ensure such an excellent event. Stephen’s work in organising the charity draw was much appreciated and would produce a very substantial surplus to be presented to Angels Wishes.

Simon Cutter who runs Model Farm and farm shop on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, has won the Compassion in World Farming’s Sustainable Food and Farming Award for producers, as part of their Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards 2019.

This year there was a total of 50 awards celebrating market-leading food businesses for their higher welfare policies and practices. New this year, was The Sustainable Food and Farming Award, which recognises businesses that are taking steps to produce meat, dairy or eggs in ways that protect, improve and restore wildlife and the environment.

Simon is a founding member of the Pasture-fed Livestock Association, which champions the production of meat and dairy from 100% grass and pasture, with no grains at all. His low-input, low-cost organic system produces Hereford beef and lamb from Easycare ewes, which are certified ‘Pasture for Life’.

“We are delighted to receive this award,” said Simon. “I have to say that a large part of it is down to the cows and the sheep. What they do in the fields, as they graze encourages the wealth of wildflowers and wildlife that also live there. Fed on a natural diet of grass and pasture and living in family groups - they are less stressed, live good long lives and are more fertile. It is how they are meant to be.

“At the end of the day – what is driving this system is the increasing demand for 100% grass-fed meat from consumers looking for the healthiest food they can buy.

“Our meat has lower total fat and saturated fat content and more, good fatty acids like omega 3s, more vitamins and minerals and also tastes delicious. This is what keeps people coming back to buy more, which makes the whole system sustainable.”

Compassion in World Farming’s chief executive Philip Lymbery presented Simon with his award on a recent visit to his farm.

“Sincere congratulations to Simon on receiving Compassion’s inaugural Sustainable Food and Farming Award for his exciting revitalisation of the countryside on his farm, in a way that delivers healthy food and higher animal welfare,” said Philip.

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity of visiting Simon and to meet the pasture-fed cattle and sheep that have helped to transform the landscape into one that is thriving once more.”

Philip Lymbery (left) and Simon Cutter

With the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK, AkTep LLP of Kazakhstan and Genus Breeding Ltd of the UK signed an agreement for the creation of a Hereford and an Aberdeen Angus genetic core in Kazakhstan. The agreement is to last for five years with an optional extension for another five years.

Under the agreement, the British company will begin the process of increasing meat productivity of the aforementioned breeds through improving the genetic quality of livestock at AkTep’s feedlots, along with over 500 farms in the Aktobe region who are cooperating with the company. The gene helps improve feed conversion. Today, one kilogramme of meat is produced from eight kilos of feed in Kazakhstan. The proposed approach will help produce one kilo of meat using only three kilos of feed.

Genus Breeding Ltd will send a specialist to Aktobe to implement the first phase of the project in 2020. According to preliminary calculations, in the first years of the project, the annual increase in profits from each new-born calf will amount to 50,000-100,000 tenge (£100-200). This indicator is to be achieved by increasing the exponential mass, the cattle’s rapid growth and saving feed.

The project’s conditions outline that Genus Breeding Ltd will only be paid if it ensures an increase in AkTep’s annual profits over the course of five years. The portion of the fee payable will only constitute 30 percent of annual profit growth of the Kazakh company.

Another important feature of the project is its positive environmental impact, which lies in the reduction in the actual volume of feed used, the reduction in the growth of cattle population, as well as the decrease in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.

Under the agreement, Genus Breeding Ltd also provided AkTep with the right to use its recognisable logo in advertisement products and handouts. This will increase the Kazakh company’s international competitiveness and provide the opportunity to attract foreign investors to expand production.

The Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Forage Production also showed interest in the project. It will send two of its employees to carry out empirical analysis and study the entire production cycle from artificial insemination to raising cattle. If the advantages and the economic viability of the project is proved, the Kazakh side will consider its large-scale expansion to other regions of Kazakhstan.

AkTep LLP is the largest meat exporter in the Aktobe region. It encompasses more than 500 farms and feedlots. The company independently carries out the whole production process: cattle breeding, feed production, feeding, meat processing and shipment of finished products to the customers. It is an enterprise with a full production cycle which has a reproducer for growing pedigree cattle of the Aberdeen Angus breed for 6,000 heads, a livestock breeding complex for feeding livestock with a capacity of 22,000 heads per year and a meat processing plant with a capacity of 7,200 tonnes per year.

Church Preen Riddick from Andrew Owen, Church Preen, Shropshire was the star of the National Hereford Show, with the 20 month bull winning the supreme, grand male and intermediate male championships as well as the Breedplan recorded class.

Church Preen Riddick

This is Andrew’s first National Show win under the Church Preen prefix having had success with the bull Longville Raja under his father-in-law’s prefix in 1999, which won the Royal Welsh and bull of the year in the same year.

By Haven Koala, a sire owned in a half share with EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire and was interbreed champion at Kington Show in 2014. Riddick's dam, Model J035 is a quiet old working cow by Hermitage Commando which was breed champion at the 2007 Royal Welsh Show.

Riddick was shown at the 2018 National Calf Show where it stood third in its class. Since then, it has been second in its class at the Royal Three Counties, Royal Welsh and Shropshire County shows.

Nick Hewer, first time president of the National Hereford Club, known for television appearances on The Apprentice and Countdown was on hand to present the championship awards.

Taking the reserve supreme, reserve grand male and junior male spot was HighHedges Synergist from SA Cowle, Quainton, Buckinghamshire. Born in November 2018, this bull calf is by Free Town Martyr, a Mara Humorous son which has been a prolific herd sire for Free Town. It is out of Baldingham Curly 124th, bred by AG Wright and son who dispersed their herd in 2012.

HighHedges Synergist

Reserve junior male was tapped out as Pulham Simba from PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk. October 2018 born, the bull calf is by Haven Kermit and out of Pulham Blossom 16th.

Pulham Simba

Senior male champion went in the direction of Haven Lamborghini from breed stalwarts EL Lewis and son. This five year old male is bred from two home-bred parents, being by former National Show champion Haven Cavalier and out of Haven Splendour 25th.

Haven Lamborghini

Auckvale Kalgoorlie 1322K from W and R Kemp and sons, St Helens, Northumberland took the reserve senior male title. By Bowmont Storm A584, it is out of Auckvale Standard Lass 1125H.

Auckvale Kalgoorlie 1322K

Recent National Stockjudging Competition winner David Makin, Wellington, Herefordshire of Adzor Herefords was presented the reserve intermediate male championship ticket for Haven Rover. Purchased from the Lewis family, its sire was the senior male champion on the same day.

Haven Rover

In the females, Kye Holly 818 from Phil Martindale, Bolton, Lancashire was named grand female champion after receiving the intermediate female championship. Led by professional showman Steven O’Kane, this heifer was bred by the McGrath family, Co Roscommon, Ireland. By Free Town Hotspur, a bull jointly owned between the McGrath family and JJ and C Farrell, it is out of Kye Sorcha 3rd.

Kye Holly 818

Church Preen Lindy Loo S087 stood reserve grand female and junior female champion. Born in September 2018, it is by Church Preen Nanook which is another Haven Koala son. Nanook stood reserve male champion at Kington in 2017 and senior male champion at the 2017 October Hereford show and sale and is now part of a large Devon-based commercial herd.

Picking up a second at Burwarton just days before, the heifer is out of Church Preen Lindy Loo K041 which is a Church Preen Galileo daughter. Galileo stood reserve male champion at Tenbury in 2011 and reserve breed champion at the Royal Welsh in both 2011 and 2012.

Church Preen Lindy Loo S087

The reserve junior female championship was handed to Free Town Pious from RA Bradstock and partners, Tarrington, Herefordshire. Born in September 2018, it is a Free Town Nucleus daughter, out of Free Town Piety.

Free Town Pious

Reserve intermediate female champion went to Haven Louisa 79th from EL Lewis and son. This 22 month heifer is from two Haven-bred parents, being by the well-known Haven Kingpin and out of Haven Louisa 65th.

Haven Louisa 79th

Heath House Curly 3rd, a six year old cow bred and owned by R and E Lywood, stood senior female champion. It is sired by the renowned Mawarra Vice Admiral which is jointly owned by RA Bradstock and partners and EL Lewis and son. It is out of the female Haven Curly 86th.

Heath House Curly 3rd

Reserve in the senior female championship was Oldwest Carol Singer 1st from K Froud, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire with its bull calf Oldwest Spartacus which was born on 16 May 2019 and sired by Badlingham Barbod.

Oldwest Carol Singer 1st

In the young handlers classes, Flora Amery who competed in the senior category won the Dendor Memorial show stick. Will Awan won the intermediate section, while Beth Vincent took first place in the under 14 years category.

It was a day of firsts for George and Sophie Harvey from Balfron, Glasgow at the Scottish National Show, with heifer Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose taking its first major show championship after a string of reserves, but also the family’s first ever female championship at a major show and their premier Scottish National supreme championship.

This 17 month heifer is the first calf of Harveybros 1 Crocus N1, which was transferred into Sophie’s ownership as a 21st birthday present from George and has been successfully shown itself, picking up junior champion and reserve female champion at the Great Yorkshire in 2016 and reserve junior female champion at the Highland in the same year. It is sired by Normanton 1 Laertes, which was shown so successfully for TD and WT Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire.

Judge Graham Shepherd, Preston, Lancashire described his champion as being of ‘exceptional quality’, being ‘superbly balanced’ and ‘very correct’.

This heifer then went on to be named interbreed junior heifer of Perth Show, before being tapped as reserve interbreed champion overall.

Placed reserve was Coley 1 Clara 418 from Heather Whittaker, Halifax, Yorkshire, shown by Andrew Hughes. An animal with a list of show wins to its name, this 21 month old heifer is by Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid and out of Coley 1 Clara 286 and has already won the breed championship at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire this year.

Standing at the top end of the bulls was Romany 1 Robin N47 R50 from JRB Wilson and sons. Born in January 2018, this bull is by Romany 1 Navigator K956 N47 and out of Romany 1 Lucy H12 N10, which is sired by the Danish-bred SMH Calgary 345C.

Reserve in the male championship was the young Moralee 1 Showbox, born in November 2018 and from Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland who were out with what they described a new team. By Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider, it is out of Moralee 1 Kate, which is sired by Romany 1 Mink E23 H15.

In the senior female championship, it was the turn of W, P and K Wason, Kinglassie, Fife to come to the fore with Baldinnie 1 Cathy 40th, bred by J Cameron and sons. By Baldinnie 1 Orient, it is out of Baldinnie 1 Cathy 31st.

Reserve senior female was five year old cow Harveybros 1 Crocus L4, which is by Venture Night Time 7055, an imported Danish-bred sire with an American pedigree which entered the UK at five months of age before being purchased by as a two year old by the Harvey family.

In the young handlers, 20 year old Beth Harvey took the senior category, while Charlotte Anderson, 14 was triumphant in the junior category, followed by brother James Anderson, 13.

A new film highlighting the many benefits of buying and eating 100% grass-fed meat and dairy has been launched at BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire today.

The film was commissioned by The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association, which champions and supports farmers who never feed any grain to their animals. It was funded by the Patagonia Trust and Roddick Foundation.

The short video offers a ‘Day in the Life’ of certified ‘Pasture for Life’ farming family Jonty and Mel Brunyee of Conygree Farm, based on the National Trust’s Sherborne Estate near Northleach in the Cotswolds.

Starting at sunrise, beautiful shots of the farm reveal all the good things feeding animals just on pasture brings, such as rich wildflower meadows, healthy soil, abundant wildlife, happy and relaxed cattle - which all go to producing the ‘best meat and milk you can buy.’

The film travels to a butcher’s shop and then onto a family BBQ, where ‘Pasture for Life’ meat and dairy products are enjoyed by all.

“Creating consumer demand for Pasture for Life food, with its nutritionally superior attributes over food from grain-fed animals, is now one of our chief goals, and will support farmers choosing to farm this way,” said the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association’s Russ Carrington at the launch today.

“We want to let people know how and why 100% grass-fed animals produce such great food - with more good fats, a healthier balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and more vitamins and minerals, as well as having a unique flavour and taste reflecting the landscape where they lived.

“Then we want them to ask for certified ‘Pasture for Life’ foods, as this is the only guarantee the animals have never been fed any grain. The first place to look is on the Pasture for Life website, by clicking on the ‘Where to Buy’ page.”

The new film can also be watched at www.pastureforlife.org.uk and will be used widely at future Pasture for Life events and meetings.